UK girl's name
Nadira
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "rare" or "precious.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nadira is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nadira popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 16 births.
This profile covers 255 England and Wales registrations across 28 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 31% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 254 living people in the UK are called Nadira. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nadira ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 16 girls were registered as Nadira.
- • About 254 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nadira as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4192
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2008
16 births
Estimated living
254
2026
Meaning
What does Nadira mean?
The name Nadira originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the ancient Middle Eastern cultures. It derives from the Arabic word "nadir," which means "rare" or "precious." The name was likely first used during the medieval period in the Arab world.
Nadira has a rich history and has been mentioned in various literary works and texts throughout the ages. In the 10th century, it appeared in the famous collection of Arabic poetry known as the "Mu'allaqat," where it was used as a description for a beautiful and exceptional woman.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nadira is found in the 12th century with Nadira al-Andalusiyya, a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar from Islamic Spain. She was celebrated for her contributions to the literary and intellectual circles of her time.
Another notable figure bearing the name Nadira was Nadira Begum, a 16th-century Mughal princess and the daughter of the famous Mughal emperor Akbar. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and patronage of the arts.
In the 19th century, Nadira Khanum was a prominent Persian poet and writer from the Qajar dynasty. Her works were widely acclaimed and contributed significantly to the literary landscape of her era.
During the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals named Nadira was Nadira, an Indian actress and dancer who graced the silver screen with her talent and charm. Born in 1932, she was a celebrated figure in the Hindi film industry and received numerous accolades for her performances.
These are just a few examples of the historical significance and instances of the name Nadira throughout various cultures and time periods. The name has consistently been associated with rarity, beauty, and exceptional qualities, making it a timeless and meaningful choice.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nadira over time
The chart below shows babies named Nadira registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Nadira, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nadira by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nadira was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4240 | 20 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3603 | 70 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1740 | 125 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1806 | 40 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Nadira
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nadira: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nadira in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nadira was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Nadira most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 16 babies registered as Nadira in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nadira?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "rare" or "precious.".
How many people are called Nadira in the UK?
A total of 255 babies have been registered as Nadira across the 28 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.